Sanjit Das June 10, 2011

Sanjit Das (b. 1976. India) is a self-taught photographer living between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur. His photography attempts to document the country’s rapid transformation from rural economy to global superpower, with a focus on the people – especially women and children – who are living through the change. His work is published internationally in, amongst others, Atlantic, Businessweek, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Wall Street Journal, NYT, Newsweek, TIME. In 2007, Sanjit was featured in a book showcasing contemporary Indian artists, ‘Made by Indians’ published by Gallerie Enrico Navarra. Sanjit is represented by Panos Pictures Agency.

About the Photograph:

“I made this picture while working on a project about insufficient health services provided to the poor in rural India. As soon as we arrived, the villagers gathered to discuss their problems and wanted us to take up the issues to the government officials. I pushed myself against the wall and quietly stood there, waiting for the right moment. The picture in front of me was not only beautiful but miserable. The frame and the bright colors through my viewfinder were beautiful, but the content in front of me was a sharp reminder of a class based society that India is struggling to get rid of- a slice of which one sees here where the women from the lower caste sits on the floor while the upper caste boys stand and stare in the background doing nothing. While claiming to be the fastest growing economy in the world with a seven percent growth rate, India, ironically is struggling to answer that dilemma.”

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Photographer and photo editor Geoffrey Hiller has created Verve Photo to feature photographs and interviews by the finest contemporary image makers today. Verve Photo is a reminder of the power of the still image. Verve Photo will also point you to new photo agencies, publications, and inspiring multimedia projects.